Road builders are streets ahead

Staffordshire's highways team has been officially recognised as one of the country's most thoughtful road builders. The county council department has been highly commended in the national Considerate Constructors of the Decade awards.

It recognises its commitment to working with and for local communities in delivering highways improvements. Staffordshire County Council was one of just seven organisations to gain highly commended status for its consistent achievements over the last 10 years.

The authority has had 126 schemes taking place over the last decade under the "Considerate Constructors" scheme banner. Top was the Rugeley Bypass, due to open on September 22, which brought home a double gold award this year.

The competition aims to recognise high standards of care and consideration for the needs of the community and the environment shown by construction organisations in delivering projects.

Judges particularly noted the excellent communications programme operated to keep residents and other members of the public informed of developments, plus the high standards of environmental protection.

The Staffordshire Highways team also netted four bronze awards for individual schemes, competing against 5,226 other projects nationally.

Staffordshire's cabinet member for transport Councillor John Wakefield said the achievements were down to excellent partnership working between the county team and their contractors, Wrekin and Accord.

He said: "Revitalising and upgrading the highway network can't be done without causing some temporary inconvenience, but the team do everything they can to work with the community to meet their needs throughout."

"It is saving money by improving efficiency and it is focusing on ensuring we put the local community right at the heart of our operations."